Council agrees science festival funding package

Orkney Islands Council has agreed a three-year package of funding for the Orkney International Science Festival.

The package will see an economic development grant totalling £75,000 be provided across the 2014, 2015 and 2016 festivals.

William Annal, who was recently appointed festival vice-chairman, said: “The council’s core funding is the key to the Festival’s future as several other funding sources are conditional on local support. The three-year package gives the Festival the opportunity to plan ahead, book major speakers, and further develop its marketing.

“Numbers attending have grown substantially over the past two years, with the festival’s reputation continuing to grow and bringing an increasing number of visitors from a distance.”